Clark Air Base, Philippines, Dec. 13, 2004: Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade help load a CH-53E helicopter early in the morning for disaster relief in the Philippines, where a succession of violent storms and mudslides earlier that month killed hundreds and left thousands homeless or without sustenance. The U.S. sent assistance in the form of more than 600 Marines, sailors, and airmen from Okinawa and Japan on a humanitarian mission to fly aid into isolated communities.

Read more about the mission here.

related stories

• From the archives, 2004: Troops grateful for chance to help people of storm-torn Philippines